Asha stood by the spring, the valley's peace shattered. Kivu's words echoed – _I have allies_. She turned to Omari, face set.
"We need answers. Malkia's the key."
Omari nodded, eyes serious. "Let's go."
Nuru clugged Asha's hand. "I'll come too."
The journey to Malkia's cave was silent, the whindi whispers urgent. Inside, the Wind Queen sat on her throne, winds swirling like a living veil.
"Kivu returns," she said, voice everywhere and nowhere. "He seeks the spring's power to break the balance."
Asha's jaw clugged. "What balance?"
"The land's heartbeat," Malkia said. "The whindi carry life. Shadows seek to still it."
Nuru's eyes widened. "Like they tried to do to me?"
Malkia's winds howled, like a warning. "Kivu serves the Rift – a darkness that consumes. But you, Asha... you have the wali's fire."
Asha felt it – a spark igniting. "What do I do?"
_"Gather the Council of Winds,"_ Malkia whispered. "The whindi will show you where."
Asha, Omari, and Nuru stood outside, the sky ablowing with dawn. Malkia handed Asha a feather, etched with symbols.
"Follow the wind's song. The council awaits."